Equestria.

The peaceful town of Ponyville shall be shaken by tragedy and mystery.

Will those who seek the answers, be able to unravel the darkness that surrounds their hearts?

Can Friendship prevail?

Day One, Sunny

Newest Residents

Today is a special day. By order of Princess Celestia, you have been assigned to live in the small village of Ponyville for the next year. Currently you're riding in a Pegasus-drawn chariot over the skies of Equestria to your destination, and accompanying you is your faithful, if overly-eager, dragon assistant Spike, whom the princess has permitted to live with you during your time in Ponyville. You have been flying for some time now, and the sky has taken on an orange hue as the sun begins to set. You note that the cramped confines of the chariot have made you irritable.

"How much further till we get there?" you sigh.

"Shouldn't be long, Twilight," answered your pint-sized dragon assistant. "There's been nothing but fields down below for a while now, and I think Ponyville is surrounded by fields."

"This ride would be more bearable if I had a book to read, but considering how cramped this chariot is I doubt I'd be able to read more than a page before getting a headache."

Spike looks at you with a little concern.

"But, aren't you excited about going to see Ponyville? Seeing new ponies, being someplace smaller than Canterlot with different customs? It should be fun!"

"Being in a town in the middle of nowhere for a whole year? I highly doubt it, Spike."

His failed attempt at lifting your spirits seems to have brought his own down slightly. However you were honest. From what you've researched before your departure, Ponyville is practically in the sticks, and is far from the lofty towers of Canterlot you've been accustomed to all your life. As you mull over that dissatisfying comparison, you recall the letter sent to you by Princess Celestia for your placement in Ponyville, and its specific contents:

My Most Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle,

For years you have been a most excellent student and dear friend, performing remarkably in your studies and surpassing every one of my expectations up to now. However, as of late I've become concerned over the time you've spent studying at home when other ponies your age are out socializing in other activities. Though you are unquestionably an excellent student, a critical part of any pony's development is the growth gained from meaningful interaction with other ponies, which I'm concerned that you may very well miss due to your current study habits.

Therefore, in three days time, you will be sent to the town of Ponyville where you will be taking residence for one year. Your task while living there will be to study and foster the most important yet barely recorded aspect of pony life: Friendship. Spike will also accompany you to continue his role of assistant as you work towards understanding the meaning of friendship.

My dearest Twilight Sparkle, I hold the utmost trust and confidence that you will succeed in your task in the coming year's time, and perhaps complete it in less time. However long it may take, I have no doubt you'll reach a satisfactory answer as well as benefit greatly from it.

Your Teacher,

Princess Celestia

As you think about the princess's letter your thoughts are suddenly disturbed as the chariot begins to shake violently. The Pegasus guards bray and wave around their hooves upon stopping abruptly to avoid colliding with another passing Pegasus pony who seemed to zip by in a blue and multicolored blur. After the Pegasus settle down you find yourself feeling a little miffed.

"W-what was that! A typhoon!" Spike says, still a little stunned from the near-accident.

"No Spike, it was just a rude and reckless Pegasus. Seriously, they just flew by here like they owned the whole sky.

"You could've knocked us off!" You shout at the Pegasus who is now halfway toward the horizon.

Looking that the fleeing Pegasus you noticed that they were pulling along a banner with a rope. The banner shows a fanciful design, with pictures of jewels and stylish dresses. Much of the banner was taken up by the image of a white-haired unicorn with a very glossy purple mane and a sultry smile.

"Hmm, seems they're advertising something… involving dresses?"

You briefly wonder who the decadent pony on the banner could be, but only briefly.

"Whoa…" said Spike almost breathlessly. "That pony's beauuutiful…"

Your assistant appears smitten by the ad. You're suddenly annoyed even further.

"Ugh! Spike, get your head out of the clouds." He looks up, awakened from his ogling.

"How? We're surrounded by clouds, Twilight."

There are indeed clouds in the vicinity of the chariot. One passes right through the chariot and settles surrounding you and Spike in white airy fluff. You feel miffed.

"Can we just go now?"

The Pegasus' get back into motion and your interrupted trip continues, unable to suppress the thought that other ponies you will meet here will have as much reckless abandon as that pegasus.

Time Passes. It's late evening, and you arrive in Ponyville Square without further incident.

The chariot touches down in the middle of Ponyville, and feeling relieved that the flight is finally over you step off the chariot. A quick glance around shows that you're surrounded by several wooden houses of many colors and outlandish designs. You admit to yourself there is a very quaint feel to the place, though it is kinda suffocating. After you thank the Pegasus guards they take off, and you and Spike are left alone. Or perhaps not, for standing just a few feet away is an old tan-haired mare with aged silver hair and a pair of spectacles. You think she is rather official-looking.

"You must be Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia had sent me word of your arrival, though I didn't think it would be this late."

She has a gentleness in the way she talks. She also mentioned hearing from the princess. Who could she be you-

"Oh but where are my manners? I am Ivory Scroll, the mayor of Ponyville, and on behalf of everyone I welcome you to our humble village."

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Mayor. This is my assistant Spike, and I apologize for the delay in our arrival."

"Pleased to be here!" Spike announces bluntly.

"Oh, no need to apologize dear," the mayor said. "The important thing is you're here safe and sound. I look forward to your involvement in our community, as I'm sure everyone else will be once you've been introduced."

You get a nagging feeling from the mention of "others."

"Oh, yeah, I bet, but uh, at the moment I'm feeling really tired, and so is my assistant."

"But I'm feeling fine Twilight."

You glare at Spike.

"Of course, of course," the mayor speaks up again. "Such a long flight can be taxing on any pony or… dragon. But might I suggest getting some refreshments from our café? Surely you must be thirsty from your trip as well."

You'd rather get settled in first.

"Well I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to be a bother-"

"Oh it's no bother at all!" the mayor interrupts cheerfully. "It's a pleasure to make any new resident at home right away, and what better way to get acquainted to a new location then to see one of its more recognized social spots? It won't be but a minute. I assure you."

Begrudgingly you take up the mayor's offer practically by force with Spike in tow. A short time later you are standing before the café while waiting on the mayor who is talking to who you think might be the owner. To your surprise there aren't any other ponies around; in fact you haven't seen many ponies around since you got here. Suddenly you see the mayor has finished talking and is now walking back to you.

"Alright Ms. Sparkle, you can help yourself to whatever you want, my treat. Just try not to have too many snacks."

The mayor chuckles to herself but you're not amused.

"The café is about to close, so you can relax in peace. I'll be waiting here to show you your new home when you're ready."

"Thank you mayor, and feel free to call me Twilight."

"Very well Twilight. I'll see you in a bit."

You leave the mayor and Spike follows. You come to a table near the café entrance, and just as the mayor said the place is bereft of ponies. You take a seat, as does Spike.

"She's pretty nice, huh Twilight?" remarked Spike.

"A little too nice Spike. This hospitality of hers is already suffocating and we haven't been here ten minutes."

"You really need to lighten up." It was Spike's turn to sound annoyed, though with concern. "We're gonna be living here for a year, and it's gonna be tough if you keep acting grumpy all the time."

"Ugh, don't remind me. But I suppose I can be grateful no one else has come by to-"

"Welcome to the Clover Café! I'll be your server this evening."

You were interrupted by the arrival of one of the café's waitresses. She is unusually perky for this time of day.

"What can I get for you?" she continues, to which you respond after a pause:

"I'll just have an iced alfalfa tea please."

"And your finest ruby as well please," Spike chimed in.

"Sorry, we're fresh out of rubies. But the tea is coming right up." The waitress gives a nod and trots off.

"Guess I spoke too soon," you grumbled.

The waitress returns with your cool beverage. Spike appears disappointed.

"There you go: Cool tea on the house. Need anything else?"

"No, I'm fine," you say as you made to take a sip.

"You're new to town aren't you?" the waitress asks.

"Oh, yes I am. We've both been on a veeery long trip to get here," you say.

You wonder what this waitress's deal is, and fear that she won't go away that easily. Other than her waitress outfit you do notice her eyes are a striking turquoise color.

"I can tell you're new here."

As you feared, she's still talking.

"You don't have that typical Ponyville look, apart from that Rarity pony. She makes herself look far too nice given her environment. But you are authentic if I do say so; I can tell from your hoof."

"My, hoof?"

You lift your hoof curiously only to have it gripped between the waitress's two fore hooves as she looks it over.

"Ah yes, naturally smooth. No common wear and tear and no deep-rooted dirt either. You're from high society alright."

The waitress lets go of your hoof. You now feel very uncomfortable.

"Well, it's not really that "high" a society hehehe…"

Your own awkward laugh makes you more uncomfortable.

"Hope you have a nice stay here in Ponyville regardless," the waitress resumes as she turns to leave. "It's pretty quiet and dull most of the time here, especially for outsiders. Although I suspect that things may become exciting real soon."

You watch the waitress leave. That last part sounded sort of ominous, but you pass it off as you look at your slightly warmed drink.

"Finally, she's gone."

You're suddenly overcome with dizziness before you could take a sip. You have no idea what brought it on as you groan and Spike looks on with sudden worry.

"Hey, Twilight, you don't look so good. Air sickness finally catching up to you?"

"No Spike. I'm fine, just a little weary."

Despite your words the dizzy spell strikes you as perplexing. You decide that it's simply fatigue.

"We've been here long enough. Let's get back to the mayor."

You down your drink and leave the café with Spike. Shortly thereafter you meet up with the mayor who was waiting around the corner. She greets you.

"Are you both refreshed? Then allow me to show you your new home."

You and Spike follow her.

After a good bit of walking you and Spike arrive at your residence: A large hollowed-tree with windows and a balcony amidst the branches. Outside the entrance is a sign with a picture of a book. The sky has begun to darken considerably at this point.

"Well here it is. Per Princess Celestia's arrangements, you are to be housed in the town's library. Everything's been assorted inside to resemble an actual living space, so you don't have to worry about setting things up."

You recall Celestia informing you about this arrangement before you left, and like always she made it happen. You perk up slightly at the thought of walls of books surrounding you, but your fatigue dampens it. The mayor continues:

"I'm sure you were expecting some kind of welcome reception consisting of more than just me, but almost everypony was going home for the night when you arrived, and it wouldn't have been very welcoming if there was no one to greet you. And as mayor it is my civic duty to oversee the general well-being of the townsfoal. But I've taken up enough of your time, and you two must be eager for rest. If you can, I recommend that you come to the town square tomorrow at noontime. It's much livelier then, and you're certain to meet most of the ponies there. Now I'll head back to my home. Good night Twilight, and good night Spike."

"Same to you, ma'am," Spike replied.

At long last the mayor leaves, and it's just you and Spike. You breathe a sigh of relief, and then take a moment to look over the library exterior. For the next year this will be your and Spike's home. You take it all in.

"Now that she mentioned it Twi, I had been expecting a half-dozen member welcome committee with streamers and flowers and OOH snacks! Huh, I just remembered that I haven't eaten anything since we left. I'm hungry…"

So much for your moment of reflection.

"Let's just go in Spike. I'm beat."

You head for the library, and Spike runs along after realizing that you left him behind. The interior is fit for living, true to the mayor's word, with beds and tables. You would go into more detail, but it's been a long trip and you're very tired. You decide to go to bed early.

"Night Twilight," said Spike as you tucked in.

"Goodnight Spike."

…

Sleep overtakes you, until...

You awaken in completely surrounding darkness.

"Where am I? Why's it so dark?"

You concentrate and conjure a sphere of light from your horn to illuminate the darkness. To your dismay there is only a desolate corridor with absolute darkness beyond your light in every direction, and even with the light source everything has a murky look. You decide to walk around a bit.

"What kind of place is this?"

The ground you're walking on is a uniform gray covered in dust and various gray rock particles. It's all very dismal. Suddenly you hear a voice.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Huh? Who said that?"

You decide to follow the voice as there is nowhere else to go.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

"If you seek the truth, come closer… if you dare."

"Who are you?"

You keep heading forward in the direction of the voice. You soon come upon a large nightshade-blue curtain draped over the path you've been following. You can sense somepony beyond it. Open the curtain and proceed?

Yes

The curtain draws open upon your decision. Stepping through you begin to feel heavy, and even though you didn't think it possible the darkness has somehow become thicker. The light you're projecting appears to be caving in to the encroaching black to your growing distress.

"Your reason for being here isn't special, because you're not special."

"What?"

"The truth of the matter is you were sent here because Celestia has grown tired of you."

The voice is now beginning to sound all too familiar.

"No. No she hasn't. She trusts me!"

"All that 'promise' you had withered up long ago. You've become stale, a most disappointing pupil in her eyes."

"That's not true!"

The darkness before you has begun to converge and is taking shape. A seething shadow rises from the dark.

"As smart as you are, you love to play the fool a lot. But both you and I know the real reason you were sent out here to this bothersome town."

"No!"

"Dearest Celestia has found a more promising student, one guaranteed to achieve true greatness. She gave you this assignment so you would be out of the way while she molds a more favorable understudy. In time, she'll assign you permanent residence in this town so you can live out your days in forgotten ignorance. You've been sent here to DIE."

"That's a lie! Stop saying those things!"

You shut your eyes and turn your head from the harsh words, but you cannot fully deny them. You sense a familiar presence in front of you, glaring into your cowering form.

"There's no point in denying what I say; it's all very true. How do I know? Simple: Because dear Twilight, I am-"

"NO YOU'RE NOT!"

A surge of energy fills you after your shout. The light that had been weakening atop your horn suddenly flares out and reduces the darkness considerably.

"What?"

"Celestia would never do that to me. She had cared for me for so long, and she's always put great trust in me. These 'true' feelings you speak of would cast doubt on that trust, and I would never betray her like that!"

Your conviction brings about another surge of energy from within. You feel the darkness around you retreating, and the presence before you weakening.

"How is this possible?"

"Just stop talking! Stop talking THIS INSTANT!"

A massive surge of energy erupts from your horn and engulfs the area in a blinding white light. You begin to lose consciousness.

Author's Note: So here it is, my very first MLP fic. And like the game this chapter is more of a prologue of things to come (or at least part of one). Feel free to give critiques through reviews or PMs, particularly ones about the length. Thanks for reading!